Composite lath



16, 1937. G. F. VOIGHT 29999534 COMPOSITE LATH Filed May 16, 1956 Patented Nov. 16, 193-7 f UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in com-' posite lath particularly adapted for application to, the spaced studs, ceiling joists, and the'like,

. forming the interior frame-work of frame structure's, as a plaster foundation, although also useful-forother-purposes. I

f 'One of the objects of the present invention is the" provision of a lath embodying in combination a backing sheet, a wire mesh structure dis- 10 posedacross the front face thereof, and transversely and longitudinally extending stiffening members for reenforcing the backings'heet and wire and for holding same in assembly, whereby is provided an inexpensive but exceedingly efficient plaster foundation self-supporting intermediate the building supports to which it is applied.

Other objects and purposes will be apparent by an examination of the following continuation of the specification, including the accompanying drawing, forming a part thereof. It is to be understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention therein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is a front face view of a lath constructed in accordance with my invention, secured to the vertical surface of portions of the framework of a structure;

Figure 2 is a front face view of a fragmental portion of the lath;

Figure 3 is a vertical section on line 3'3' of Fig.

Figure 4 is a cross section through one of the stiffening strips;

Figure 5 is a rear view of a fragmental portion of one of the stiffening strips, showing a slight modification of the invention;

Figure 6 is a cross section on line 6'-6 of Fig. 5; and

Figure 7 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but with slight modifications of some of the parts shown.

Referring to the drawing in stricter detail, throughout which like reference characters designate like parts:

There is provided a backing sheet I comprising a rectangular sheet of paper or other suitable fibroid stock, preferably flexible, which, if desired, may be treated with a suitable agency to render it more or less moisture resistant and/or fire retardative.

Across the front face of the backing sheet I is disposed a wire netting 2 consisting of the open mesh wire structure sometimes referred to as poultry netting and comprising obliquely extending single wire strands 3 and longitudinally. spaced intertwisted portions 4 disposed in parallel laterally spaced rows extending across from one to the opposed border of the netting. 5

A plurality of channeled stiffening strips 5, extending across the rear face of the backing sheet I and provided with opposed flange portions 6 bearing against portions of said rear face of the sheet, are arranged to register with .a number of selected rows of said intertwisted portions 4 (Fig. 1). I g

A selected number of the intertwisted portions 4 in registration with the strips 5, dip rearwards through openings I formed in the backing sheet I, for engagement with said strips (Figs. 1, 2, 3).

Transverse wires 8 extending across the rear face of the backing sheet I, cross orpass over the front face of the intertwisted portion 4 projecting rearwards through the openings 1. The transverse wires 8 function towards stiffening the lath transversely as well as holding the several component parts thereof in assembly.

The intertwisted portions 4 projecting through the openings I are preferably fixedly secured to the strips 5 by welding them thereto,'however, if desired, in lieu of said welding, or in addition thereto, the transverse wires 8 may be welded to said strips at their points of crossing thereover and engagement therewith. In case the said transverse wires alone are welded to the strips 5, the same will operate to hold the intertwisted portions 4 in place in engagement with said strips.

The stiffening strips 5 are channeled or V- 35 shaped to better resist flexing longitudinally and to stiffen the lath longitudinally between the studs or other spaced framework of the structure to which the lath is secured. In order to dispose the body of the lath in stricter alignment with the face of the supports to which it is secured, those portions of the strips 5 disposed in engagement with said supports may be somewhat flattened, an example of which flattening being shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

If preferred, portions of the transverse wires 8 passing over the front face of the intertwisted portions 4, may be bent forwards as at 80, Fig. 7, thereby permitting the front'face of the main portions of said wires to align with the front face of the stifiening strips 5, whereby the backing sheet I may better engage both said Wires and strips.

While I prefer to form the lath in oblong rectangular sheets approximately 36 inches wide and 48 inches long, the same may, if preferred, be of any other dimensions found best suited to the work to be performed.

It has been found, particularly in the manipulation of the lath for overhead application as when attaching it to the ceiling joists and the like, that the transverse wires 8 greatly assist the workmen in said application by keeping the lath in a more or less outspread state, whereas, without the employment of said transverse wires the lath may, under certain conditions, bend transversely during handling in said overhead application. However, if preferred, and where rigidity of the lath is not essential, the said transverse wires may be eliminated without affecting the eflicienoy of the lath as a plastic foundation upon its application to its supports.

9 designates structural supports for supporting the lath.

I claim:

1. In combination, a backing sheet, a plurality of stiffening members extending across the rear side of said backing sheet, a wire net structure disposed across the front side of said backing sheet, portions of said wire net structure projecting through said backing sheet into engagement with said stiffening members, and transverse wires on the rear side of said backing sheet, portions of said transverse wires extending across the front side of said stiffening members and said portions of the wire net structure in engagement with said stifiening members.

2. In lath of the character described, in combination, a backing sheet, a plurality of stiffening members extending across the rear face of I said backing sheet, a wire net structure disposed across the front face of said backing sheet, portions of said wire net structure projecting through said backing sheet into engagement with said stiffening members, and means for holding said portions in fixed engagement with said stiffening members, portions of said stiffening members being relatively reduced diametrically in one direction, whereby a relatively flat surface is provided forengagement with the supports to which the lath is attached.

3. In combination, a backing sheet, a plurality of channeled stiffening strips on the rear face 7 of said backing sheet, a metallic net structure disposed across the front face of said backing sheet, portions of said-net structure projecting through said backing sheet and bearing against opposed portions of said stiffening strips, and means for holding said last named portions and said first named portions in bearing engagement.

4.. In combination, a backing sheet, a plurality of channeled stiffening strips disposed across the rear face of said backing sheet, a wire net structure disposed across the front face of said backing sheet,'intertwisted portions of said net structure projecting through said backing sheet and dipping into the channels of said strips and beartions between said last named portions and said intertwisted portions. V

V V GEORGE F. VOIGHT.

ing against portions thereof, and welded connecz 

